Tour SummaryFancy a short Summer break to Devon with an excellent chance of seeing Beavers, possibly Otter and some great birds including the highly localised Cirl Bunting? Then come and visit Budleigh Salterton!

A population of beavers, of unknown origin, has been present on the River Otter since around 2008. However, when video evidence emerged proving that the beavers had given birth to kits (young) in 2014, the UK Government initially planned to have them removed from the river. However, thanks to the Devon Wildlife Trust, their removal was opposed and after consulting with the local community, landowners and public bodies, it turned the situation into a five-year trial to monitor the beavers’ effects on the landscape.

Chris Townend spends much of his spare time birding and beaver watching on his local patch, the River Otter. July is a great time to look for Beavers as this is the time of year when newly born Beaver Kits should first be venturing out onto the river! The River Otter also has a good population of Otters and though less predictable than Beavers, there are regular sightings! The surrounding coastline and East Devon Pebblebed Heaths are just a stone’s throw away from Budleigh Salterton and we will visit both these wonderful habitats where we should find some special birds like Cirl Buntings and Dartford Warblers.

ACCOMMODATION:3 nights in Budleigh Salterton, Devon3 nights in local guesthouse Inclusive Meals: Breakfasts and an afternoon Cream Tea of course!

Eurasian Beaver, River Otter by Chris Townend

DAY 1: Arrival Budleigh SaltertonOnce you arrive at your homely guesthouse in the very pretty seaside town of Budleigh Salterton, your local guide will come and meet you during the early evening. We will then take a walk along the River Otter where we should see plenty of signs of Beaver activity and with luck, a sighting of this amazing animal too. Overnight Budleigh Salterton or nearby

Family of Otters on the River Otter by Chris Townend

DAYS 2 – 3: River Otter – East Devon Commons – Jurassic CoastEach morning we will venture out for a full morning walk, one day visiting the coast and another the Pebblebed Heaths. Both sites are very easy to access and will either involve a walk from your guesthouse or a short drive of no more than 20 minutes. The East Devon Pebblebed Heaths is an area of rare low lying heathland with some special birds as well as some fantastic dragonflies too. We should find Dartford Warblers, Hobby, Stonechat and a good selection of dragonflies including the localised Downy Emerald (early July).On the second morning a walk along the the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site will produce wonderful views of Lyme Bay and the associated coastline. Here we will hopefully find a good selection of coastal species such as Rock Pipit, Shag, Cormorant and Fulmar and maybe a hunting Peregrine. The adjacent farmland should reveal one of the true specialities of the South West, the Cirl Bunting. After the coast walk, we will pop in for one of the best Devon Cream Teas in the country – Cream first of course!

Both afternoons will be at leisure to explore on your own until the evening when, once again we will be looking for Beavers and Otters. The tour will end after the final evening walk on night 3.Overnight Budleigh Salterton or nearby

Female Beaver carrying nearly born Beaver Kit, River Otter by Chris TownendOne of the many Beaver signs, River Otter by Chris Townend

Please note this is a flexible itinerary which may need to be adjusted slightly dependent on arrival / departure times, weather conditions and the most recent information from our local guides

Leader: Chris Townend or other local wildlife guideIncluded in cost: Accommodation in twin en-suite rooms, breakfast plus a Cream Tea on one day, ground transport to the East Devon Commons and services of the leaderNot included in cost: Travel to Budleigh, lunches or dinners, any drinks and travel insuranceSingle Supplement: £150Transport: Travel to East Devon Heaths onlyPrivate hire car or minibus dependent on group size Difficulty: Easy – ModerateWalking on footpaths along river is flat. Walks on heathland and coastal paths are undulating. Walking distances will be 6 – 8 miles over the three days.Climate: Variable as with most British Summers!Tour Start Point: Budleigh Salterton Guesthouse, DevonTour End Point: Budleigh Salterton Guesthouse, DevonSuggested Transport to Start Point: Train to Exmouth / Bus to Budleigh Salterton